Pitch Command Analogy

I had a great conversation with Trevor Bauer about command training and motor learning. He used this analogy of a math equation and it put me on his thought process below which I believe is the key to developing pitch command in all athletes, especially in young ones.

Pitch Command Training Math Analogy

Let’s say command (x) equals 2

You could practice by guessing a number to equal x over and over and over, but what if a 4 just happens? What if you’re given a negative number to start? Do you fall apart? Are you really even learning by guessing?

If you’ve never practiced anything but one mode of training – let’s say a fastball only pullpen – when you get a 4, you have a ball. You get a 2, strike. You get a 1, ball. Simply, it is guessing.

The key is being able to get a 4 and subtract 2 to find ‘x’. Get a 1 and be able to add 3 and find ‘x’. The more possible inputs you can give – or the more modes of differentiating scenarios you practice in training – the more your body will be able to adjust and make that equation equal ‘x’ and you will learn that x=2.

So what is the takeaway? Don’t think you are working on command or a pitch if we practice that skill in one way over and over again on repeat without change or without variation.

Practice command in different ways: different pitches, implements, intensities, angles, and distances. Do jump throws. Play horse. THAT will be your best shot.

Added Benefit

These are drills with an external focus like hitting a target instead of an internal focus on mechanics. Mechanics do not dictate command. Examining and improving mechanics can aid in injury reduction, power transfer and relative repeatability, but command isn’t a product of mechanics. Mechanics can only support command.

About Kevin Poppe

Kevin joined DST in 2011 and is now the Director of Operations at DST North and an Owner of DST. Kevin also directs all DST Summer Programs across all facilities. Prior to joining DST, he played and coached baseball at Concordia University in Nebraska. Kevin discovered his passion for athletic development when training at DST as an athlete in college. Since then, Kevin has accrued countless hours of experience training some of the top athletes in America. Recently, Kevin joined the Diamond Kinetics Hitting Council.

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